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Herbaceous Perennial

Symphyotrichum dumosum

bushy aster

A clump-forming perennial to around 1m high, with small, narrowly lance-shaped to linear green leaves. Airy clusters of small, daisy-like flowers, with white, pink or purple petals and yellow centres that develop to dark red, are borne on slender branching stems in late summer and autumn. (Image shows Symphyotrichum dumosum 'Sapphire')

Other common names

bushy starwort

Synonyms

Aster dumosus

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Asteraceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Symphyotrichum includes around 90 species of annuals, biennials and perennials, mostly spread through the Americas, that were formerly included within the genus Aster. Leaves are simple, lance-shaped and entire, but it is their daisy-like flowerheads that they are grown for; central disc florets are typically yellow, surrounded by strap-shaped ray florets in shades of pink, blue, purple or white
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil, in sun or part shade; add mulch after cutting back in autumn. Plants may need support, see staking perennials. Divide every third year to retain vigour and flower quality. See aster cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division in spring, replanting only vigorous young shoots

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Prairie planting
Wildflower meadow
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut stems close to the ground in late autumn

Pests

May be susceptible to leaf and bud eelworm, aphids, slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to Fusarium wilt, powdery mildews, leaf spots and grey moulds

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